UCLA has moved on from athletic director Martin Jarmond, ending his run effective immediately and handing the department to Tim Harris on an interim basis.
Harris, a former Lakers executive, will serve as CEO and Director while the school tries to steady an athletics program that Chancellor Julio Frenk says is carrying a significant financial deficit. Frenk had already launched an audit of the department earlier this summer, with Harris overseeing the budget review and looking for ways to improve operations. That role now turns into something much bigger, and it puts Harris in position to be the early favorite to remain in charge permanently.
In the university’s announcement, Frenk laid out the bigger picture around the move, pointing to the rapid changes reshaping college sports through Name, Image and Likeness, student-athlete compensation and the wider marketplace. He said UCLA needs an athletics model that leads rather than merely keeps up.
“UCLA Athletics currently carries a significant financial deficit, and its current path is not sustainable. Now is the moment to build a model for Athletics that protects the breadth of our program, creates new opportunities for student-athletes and coaches, and supports itself through the revenue it generates. I believe UCLA should help lead the transformation of intercollegiate athletics: our future must be shaped by purpose - not by pressure.”
Jarmond exits after six years in the job. In the school’s release, Frenk thanked him for his “extraordinary service” and noted that UCLA’s student-athletes continued to perform at a high level during his tenure, including three NCAA championship titles last year.
The timing of the change follows a stretch in which Jarmond’s connection with the broader UCLA fan base had been a frequent source of frustration. His track record on coaching hires was uneven, with the Deshaun Foster situation standing out, and both of UCLA’s basketball coaches were already in place before he arrived. The source of support behind those basketball coaches also differed from Jarmond’s, with both drawing more donor backing than he did.
Harris now becomes the face of the next phase. Frenk said he is a proud alumnus and former student-athlete, and described him as a veteran sports executive who spent more than 35 years with the Lakers, including a stint as president of business operations. He also highlighted Harris’ relationships in Los Angeles and beyond, along with his experience creating partnerships and revenue streams.
“Tim knows what it takes to grow a world-class sports organization and global brand, and he holds longstanding relationships throughout Los Angeles and globally. He brings decades of experience in creating partnerships and new sources of revenue, along with a personal focus on centering the student-athlete experience. I am especially grateful for Tim’s willingness to serve UCLA on a pro bono basis.”
According to the announcement, Harris will be tasked with developing a new strategy centered on revenue growth through partnerships, licensing and other ventures, while still making sure student-athletes and coaches have the support they need to compete at the highest level.
Frenk also framed athletics as something larger than wins and losses, saying it expands access to higher education, enriches the student experience and builds community. For UCLA, the next chapter now begins with a new leader and a clear mandate: fix the finances, protect the program and keep the department moving forward.
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